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Q>3Ss.i_'Ca.3o 


Oi  the  Coiiiinissioiicvs  of  the 

CAFE  FEAR  AND  YADKIN 

RAIL.  ROAD. 

The  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  act  of 
the  Legislature,  incorporating  the  Cape  Fear 
and  Yadkin  Rail  Road  Company,  to  receive 
subscriptions  at  Wilmington  to  the  Stock  of 
-aid  Company,  preparatory  to  opening  books, 
addressed  the  following  Circular  to  various 
citizens  in  the  Western  section  of  the  State, 
soliciting  such  information  as  they  were  capa 
pable  of  imparting. 

Wilmington,  Slst  January,  1832. 

Sir:  The  undersigned  are  commissioners  under  an 
act  of  the  Legislature,  to  receive  subscriptions  at 
Wilmington,  to  the  stock  of  the  Cape  Fear"  and  Yad- 
kin Rail  Road  Company.  Preparatory  to  opening 
books,  as  directed  by  this  iict,  it  is  the  earnest  wish 
of  the  Commissioners,  to  obtain  such  information  as 
will  enable  the  public  to  form  an  enlightened  judg- 
ment of  the  practicability  and  usefulness  of  the  en- 
terprize;  and  furnish  the  capitalist  with  the  means  of 
estimating,  with  some  degree  ot  certainty,  to  what 
extent  an  investment  in  its  stock  would  be  profita- 
ble. 

The  undersigned  persuade  themselves  of  your  wil- 
lingness to  impart  to  them  such  information  in  your 
possession,  as  may  be  useful  in  promoting  the  object 
they  have  in  view :  They  therefore  respectfully  invite 
your  attention  to  tlie  subjoined  inquiries;  and  solicit 
as  early  an  answer  as  your  convenience  will  allow. 
•     1  .   '  - 


1.  If  the  Rail  Road  should  be  constructed  and 
.should  pursue  the  route,  the  outline  of  which  is  trac- 
ed in  the  act  of  incorporation,  what  counties  ort  this 
aide  of  the  Yadkin  would  use  it  as  a  market  road? 

2.  What  counties,  between  the  Yadkin  and  the 
Catawba,  and  what  beyond  the  Catawba,  will  find  it 
10  their  interest  to  use  the  road? 

3.  At  what  markets  have  these  counties  heretofore 
disposed  of  their  supplies?  And  what  proportion  in 
value  and  tonnage,  do  their  imports  bear  to  their  ex- 
ports ? 

4.  What  are  the  staple  and  other  productions  of 
these  counties  grown  or  prepared  for  market? 

If  Cotton,  how  many  bales' 

If  Tobacco,  how  many  hhds? 

If  Flour,  how  many  barrels? 

If  Flax  Seed,  how  many  casks? 

If  Grain,  how  many  bushels? 

If  other  articles;  their  kind;  and  in  what  quantity? 

5.  To  what  extent  would  any  or  all  of  these  arti- 
cles be  probably  increased,  by  the  increased  facility 
of  transportation  afforded  by  the  rail  way? 

6.  What  new  staples  would  probably  be  cultivated? 

7.  What  commodities  are  there,  and  in  what  quan- 
tities (either  the  spontaneous  productions  of  the  earth, 
or  the  fruits  of  agricultural  industry;)  not  hitherto  con- 
sidered marketable,  which  would  become  subjects 
yf  profitable  commerce  or  l>arter,  if  the  Rail  Road 
should  be  constructed,  diminishing  the  time  and  ex- 
pense of  transportation  in  the  ratio  (usually  estimat- 
ed) of  1  to  4  or  5  ? 

8.  What  mines  of  iron  and  other  minerals  are  found 
in  either  or  any  of  the  counties  through-  or  near  to 
which  the  Rail  Road  will  pass?  To  what  extent  arc 
they  now  worked?  and  what  amount  are  they  capa- 
ble of  furnishing? 

9.  To  wh«t  extent  has  the  navigation  of  the  Yad- 
kin above  the  Narrows;  and  of  the  Catawba  above 
Beatty's  Ford,  been  improved?  What  is  the  present 
condition  of  the  navigation,  and  how  far  will  those 
i-ivers  be  useful  tributaiies  to  the  road,  and  contribute 
to  the  profit*;  of  the  Company? 

The  undersigned  will  be  grateful  for  any  sugges- 
tion or  any  information,  on  any  other  point  or  sub- 
ject, connected  with  the  Roach  They  are  aware  that 
here  i?  much  information  which  they  have  not  par- 


ticularly  sought,  and  which  may  be  both  interesting 
and  usefid. 

A.  J.  DeROSSETT,  "1 

E.  B.  DUDLEY, 

Wm.  B.  MEARES,       )»  Commissioners. 

JAMES  OWEN, 

GABRIEL  HOLMES,  J 

From  the  replies  to  this  Circular,  the  Commission 
ers  have  derived  much  important  information,  con- 
firming their  original  views;  and  conclusive,  as  to  the 
practicability  and  usefulness  of  the  contemplated 
work.  And  in  submitting  the  present  report,  they 
feel  much  pleasure  in  being  able  to  congratulate  the 
public  on  the  remarkable  accordance  of  opinion  which 
exists  in  relation  to  this  subject.  All  intelligent  men 
unite  in  the  conviction,  that  some  plan  must  be  im- 
mediately adopted,  and  energetically  pursued,  in  or- 
der to  rescue  the  State  from  the  ruin  that  impends. 
Nor  can  they  conceive  of  any  measure  better  calcula- 
ted to  arrest  our  downward  progress,  than  the  con- 
struction of  the  proposed  road.  The  few  physical 
impediments  that  oppose  success  can  be  easily  sur- 
mounted. From  reference  to  authentic  sources,  it 
has  been  ascertained  that  the  cost  of  this  Rail  Road 
would  be  less,  than  that  of  any  similar  undertaking 
■tow  in  progress,  or  planned  over  an  equal  extent  of 
country.  Materials  are  both  convenient  and  abun- 
dant: provisions  and  labour  can  be  obtained  on  mod- 
erate terms, — nor  can  there  exist  a  doubt  in  the  mind 
of  any  well  informed  man,  that  the  resources  of  the 
country  are  fully  adequate  to  support  the  route  and 
pay  the  stockholder  an  ample  recompense  for  invest- 
ment and  enterprise.  With  circumstances  then,  so 
propitious,  not  only  for  the  commencement  but  final 
consummation  of  an  object  of  such  vital  importance 
to  our  State,  it  surely  becomes  all  to  come  forward  as 
its  most  strenuous  advocates,  and  to  afford  such  aid 
as  their  circumstances  may  permit. 

In  presenting  the  information  digested  in  the  fol- 
lowing report,  it  is  particularly  observed  that  all  the 
estimates,  are  based  on  minimum  calculations,  except 
the  estimate  of  the  probable  expense  of  the  work, 
which  is  taken  from  the  actual  cost  of  the  Charleston 
Rail  Road.  If  the  Rail  Road  should  be  constructed 
#<5  designated  in  the  act  of  incorporation — to  conned 


Wilmington  with  some  point  on  the  Catawba  river, 
above  Beatty's  Ford,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains, 
passing  through  Fayetteville  and  through,  or  as  near 
to  Salisbury  as  practicable,  twenty  important  Coun- 
ties, fertile  as  to  soil,  favoured  as  to  climate,  with  a 
variety  of  valuable  staples,  and  an  efficient  popula- 
tion, will  be  more  or  less  interested  in  the  work;  and 
the  majority  of  them  deeply.  All  the  Counties  on 
the  Cape  Fear  between  Wilmington  and  Fayetteville 
will  be  benefitted,  inasmuch  as  a  far  better  market 
for  naval  stores  will  be  created — the  demand  for  tim- 
ber will  be  increased — the  labour  of  hands  and  teams 
will  be  rendered  more  profitable,  and  a  large  amount 
of  funds  diffused  in  the  neighbourhood. 

Between  Fayetteville  and  the  Yadkin,  the  counties 
of  Richmond,  Montgomery,  Cumberland,  Moore, 
Chatham,  Randolph,  Davidson  and  Guilford,  will  be 
benefitted  by  the  road.  By  the  navigation  of  the 
Yadkin  above  the  Narrows,  which  may  be  opened  at 
a  comparatively  small  expense,  the  counties  of  Sur- 
ry, Wilkes  and  Stokes  will  be  interested.  Between 
the  Yadkin  and  Catawba  rivers,  the  counties  of  Ca- 
barrus, Rowan,  Tredell  and  Mecklenburg  will  be  in- 
terested. Beyond  the  Catawba,  Burke,  Lincoln  and 
Rutherford;  also  the  counties  beyond  the  mountains, 
Buncombe,  Ashe,  Macon  and  Haywood,  together 
with  three  rich  counties  of  East  Tennessee,  from  all 
of  which  the  best  outlet  and  that  which  is  most  used, 
is  through  the  Blue  Ridge  to  Morganton,  immediate 
ly  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  point  where  the  Rail 
Road  will  terminate.  And  if  the  contemplated  Turn- 
pike from  the  eastern  part  of  Kentucky  through  the 
western  part  of  Virginia  and  East  Tennessee  should 
■he  made,  of  course  all  the  produce  conveyed  along 
that  road  will  intersect  the  Rail  Road,  greatly  ex- 
tend its  operations  and  increase  the  profits.  More- 
over, by  lateral  branches  and  a  farther  opening  of 
the  navigation  of  the  water  courses,  which  may  be 
done  at  a  moderate  expense,  a  much  larger  extent 
of  country  might  be  embraced. 

Fayetteville  is  the  principal  marketof  the  counties 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Yadkin,  and  of  some  parts  of 
Iredell  and  Rowan.  The  citizens  of  Anson  transact 
all  their  business  in  Cheraw;  and  those  of  Robeson 
chiefly  in  Georgetown.  Lateral  branches  might  divert 
the  trade  of  both  counties  to  a  considerable  extent. 


Between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba,  Cabarrus,  lie 
dell,  Mecklenburg-  and  the  southern  part  of  Rowan, 
trade  to  Cheraw,  Camden  and  Columbia,  in  South 
Carolina.  Lincoln,  Burke,  Rutherford,  Ashe,  Wilkes, 
Macon  and  Haywood  trade  to  Camden,  Columbia  and 
Augusta,  in  the  State  of  Georgia. 
■  It  would  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  ascertain 
precisely,  the  relative  value  and  tonnage  of  the  imports 
and  exports  of  these  counties.  In  both  respects,  the 
exports  certainly  far  exceed  the  imports.  In  1830- 
'31,  the  relation  of  imports  to  exports  in  several  of 
the  Southern  States  was  as  follows,  as  appears  from 
Congressional  records: 


In  favor  of 

Imports. 

Exports. 

Exports. 

North  Carolina, 

S30(\C00 

§400,000 

4  to  3 

South  Carolina, 

1,054,619 

7,627,031 

7  to  1 

Georgia, 

282,436 

5,336,000 

18  to  1 

Alabama, 

144,823 

1,822,000 

12  to  1 

Virginia, 

405,  f39 

4,791,644 

11  to  1 

Louisiana, 

7,599,000 

15,488,692 

2  to  1 

From  this  statement,  it  may  be  inferred  that  the 
balance  is  decidedly  in  favor  of  the  Exports.  It  would 
be  difficult  to  ascertain  the  precise  average  relation,  as 
the  trade  of  each  State  is  far  from  being  distinct;  and 
in  some  instances,  as  in  Louisiana  and  Georgia,  it  is 
much  complicated  with  other  States.  There  is  also 
more  or  less  indirect  trade,  of  which  no  record  is  kept 
and  which  does  not  maintain  a  regular  ratio. 

All  commercial  men  are  aware  that  it  is  a  favorable 
circumstance,  when  the  balance  of  trade  is  in  favor 
of  the  exports  of  a  State — an  advantage  which  would 
be  increased  by  the  Rail  Road,  as  there  would  be  a 
certain  and  great  increase  of  trade,  while  the  relation 
of  imports  to  exports  would  probably  remain  the 
same. 

From  the  foregoing  statement  it  will  be  seen,  that 
there  is  a  remarkable  contrast  between  the  foreign 
trade  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  same  trade  in  the 
other  southern  States: — the  political  economist  will 
readily  perceive  the  loss  which  the  Farmers  of  our 
State  must  suffer.  The  whole  export  trade  of  North 
Carolina  may  be  estimate  d  at  five  millions  of  dollars, 
and  yet  the  amount  of  the  foreign  exports,  or  direct 
trade,  is  only  S400,000 — consequently,  the  trade  car- 
ried on  through  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Bait'- 


more,  is  twelve  times  greater  than  the  direct  trade; 
and  all  the  charges  of  freight,  insurance  and  commission 
on  the  coasting  or  indirect  trade,  estimated  at  four  mil- 
lions and  a  half  must  be  paid  by  us  to  the  benefit  of  the 
Northern  Merchants. 

The  staple  productions  of  the  Western  counties 
are  Cotton,  Tobacco,  Flour,  Spirits,  Grain,  Iron, 
Live  Stock,  and  Gold;  to  which,  of  secondary  con- 
sideration may  be  added  Flaxseed,  Beeswax,  Tallow, 
Corn,  Apples,  Cider,  Hay  and  Irish  Potatoes. 

At  a  moderate  calculation,  these  Counties  send  to 
market  annually  about  forty  thousand  bales  of  Cot- 
ton; from  twelve  to  fifteen  hundred  hogsheads  of 
Tobacco;  about  forty  thousand  barrels  of  Flour;  five 
thousand  casks  of  Flaxseed,  and  from  ten  to  twelve 
thousand  barrels  of  Spirits.  Of  the  other  articles 
enumerated,  it  is  difficult  to  form  an  estimate; — the 
articles  raised  for  market  being  for  the  most  part 
heavy;  the  roads  very  bad,  and  often  almost  impass- 
able; and  the  markets  distant — the  difficulty  and  ex- 
pense of  transportation  are  necessarily  very  great — 
indeed  it  is  a  notorious  fact,  that  the  farmers  of  the 
Western  Counties,  cultivate  no  more  of  their  valua- 
ble staples  for  market,  than  they  are  absolutely  com- 
pelled to  do,  for  the  support  of  their  families.  Hence 
it  is,  that  there  is  so  little  enterprise — that  the  energies 
of  our  citizens  are  slumbering — thatthe  valuable  re- 
sources of  our  State  are  so  imperfectly  developed— 
that  emigration  isyear  afteryear,  exercisingits  impov- 
erishinginfluences;  andrenderinga  change  of  circum- 
stances more  difficult  and  more  improbable.  The 
Western  farmer  pays  a  cent  and  a  half  on  every  lb. 
of  Cotton  carried  to  Columbia;  two  cents  to  Camden 
and  Augusta;  and  three  fourths  of  a  cent  to  Cheraw; 
making  the  expense  of  every  bale  of  Cotton,  (ave- 
raging the  weight  at  three  hundred  lbs.)  four  dollars 
and  a  half  to  Columbia;  two  and  a  half  to  Cheraw; 
and  six  dollars  to  Camden  and  Augusta;  besides  the 
loss  of  time,  and  the  wear  and  tear  of  Wagon  and 
team.  Now  the  transportation  of  Cotton  is  less  ex- 
pensive than  the  carriage  of  Tobacco,  Iron,  Flour, 
Flaxseed  or  Spirits.  Corn  and  Grain  are  out  of  the 
question.  It  is  a  wretched  and  ruinous  state  of 
things.  All  these  evils  would  be  remedied  imme- 
diately, and  effectually,  by  a  Rail  Road  from  the  sea 
board  to  the   mountains.     The  most,  bulky  article? 


could  be  conveyed  to  market  at  a  moderate  expense 
— very  little  time  would  be  lost;  and  there  would  be 
no  uncertainty  on  account  of  bad  roads,  droughts,  or 
freshets. 

It  has  been  calculated  that  the  average  gain  on  a 
Rail  Road  in  point  of  time,  is  as  1  to  6,  in  this  coun- 
try where  locomotive  engines  are  used;  and  as  1  to 
4  in  point  of  expense.  Now  the  farmer  who  will  re- 
flect seriously  on  this  statement  of  facts,  will  per- 
ceive many  more  advantages,  which  cannot  be  enu- 
merated within  the  limits  of  a  report  It  may  be 
well  to  observe  by  way  of  illustration,  that  Ellicott, 
the  proprietor  of  the  great  Mills  about  thirteen  miles 
from  Baltimore,  paid  sixty  thousand  dollars  annually 
for  the  transportation  of  his  Flour  to  Baltimore;  and 
3ince  the  Rail  Road  has  been  in  operation,  he  only 
pays  fifteen  tkousanddolhrs,  saving  $45, 000  annually. 

The  increare  of  trade  in  consequence  of  the  con- 
struction of  a  Rail  Road,  would  be  necessarily  great. 
In  other  parts  of  our  country,  and  in  Europe,  the 
average  increase,  as  well  established  by  facts,  is  a- 
bout  ten  to  one.  The  increase  of  Cotton  in  our  State 
is  estimated  at  3  to  1.  Of  Flour,  it  is  thought  it 
would  be  immense;  as  no  section  of  country  is  bet- 
ter calculated  for  raising  Wheat  than  the  Western 
part  of  this  State.  Some  are  of  opinion  that  under 
such  circumstances,  North  Carolina  would  export  as 
much  Flour  as  the  State  of  Maryland.  There  would 
:dso  be  a  considerable  augmentation  of  trade  in  To- 
bacco, Flaxseed,  Iron  and  Grain — in  fact,  of  every 
article  now  the  growtii  of  the  soil,  or  otherwise  ob- 
tained. 

Indian  Corn  would  become  a  new,  and  important 
staple.  Also  Hemp;  Pit  Coal;  and  minerals  gene- 
rally, which  abound  in  the  State;  also  salted  Beef  and 
Pork.  Large  quantities  of  live  stock  are  raised  be- 
yond the  mountains,  and  on  account  of  the  high  price 
of  Salt  at  all  times,  and  the  impracticability  occa- 
sionally of  obtaining  it  on  any  terms;  they  are  driven 
into  other  States  and  sold.  By  means  of  the  Rail 
Road,  Salt  could  be  carried  to  them  at  all  seasons  of 
the  year,  and  sold  at  about  75  cents  per  bushel,  at 
which  price  they  could  afford  to  kill  and  salt  their 
stock.  The  climate  is  admirable  for  the  purpose.; 
and  the  article  could  easily  be  conveyed  to  the  sea- 
board and  shipped,  instead  of  our  haying,  as  at  pre- 


seat,  to  import  it  from  the  North.  It  is  thought  thai 
t his  would  constitute  an  important  item  of  trade.  It 
is  also  believed  that  White  Oak  Staves,  of  which  an 
Immense  quantity  could  be  procured  in  the  back 
country,  and  which  would  bear  the  expense  of  trans- 
portation, would  become  a  new  article  of  export  from 
he  interior. 

The  mineral  wealth  of  the  State  is  incalculable. — 
In  this  respect,  North  Carolina  is  not  surpassed  by 
any  State  in  the  Union; — indeed  it  is  supposed  that 
her  mineral  resources  alone,  would  be  sufficient  to 
construct  and  support  the  Rail  Road.  The  whole 
country  from  Cumberland  County  to  the  Blue  Ridge 
is  based  on  a  substratum  of  minerals.  The  supply 
of  Iron  is  inexhaustible,  while  its  quality  is  equal  to 
any  in  the  world.  About  six  hundred  tons  are  now 
worked  up  annually  in  the  mines,  and  sold  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity;  whereas  they  might  be  worked  to 
any  extent  that  the  demand  for  the  article  could  re- 
quire. It  is  found  in  the  greatest  abundance,  in  Lin- 
coln County.  Besides  Iron,  Gold  is  found  in  many 
Counties;  also  Plumbago;  Ochre;  Copper  and  Lead 
Ores;  and  in  Chatham  County,  about  forty-five  miles 
irom  Fayetteville,  there  is  Pit  Coal  of  excellent  qual- 
ity. 

The  Yadkin  may  be  rendered  navigable  from  40 
to  60  miles  above  the  Narrows;  and  the  Catawba  a- 
bout  100  miles  above  Beatty's  ford.  The  expense 
in  botli  instances  would  be  moderate.  At  present 
1  he  navigation  is  unimportant; — If  improved,  to  the 
fullest  extent,  it  would  embrace  a  considerable  ex- 
tent of  country,  and  contribute  largely  to  the  profits 
of  the  company. 

As  to  the  resources  of  the  State  being  adequate  to  con- 
struct this  road — there  can  be  no  doubt.  The  mate- 
rials required  for  carrying  on  the  works,  can  be  ob- 
tained, of  the  best  quality,  all  along  the  projected 
route.  There  is  abundance  of  Wood,  Stone,  and 
Iron.  The  State  of  North  Carolina  at  this  time  fur- 
nishes timber  for  the  great  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail 
Road.  On  that  road,  the  timber  costs  upwards  of  30 
dollars  per  thousand  feet.  It  could  not  cost  us  more 
than  one-third  of  that  sum.  Should  the  road  be  com- 
menced at  the  mountains,  or  wooden  rails  be  laid 
down  in  the  first  instance — Iron,  of  the  best  quality 
for  the  purpose,  worked  by  the  hammer,  which  is 


superior  to  the  rolled  iron,  ordinarily  used  and  im- 
ported from  Europe,  could  be  obtained  at  the  mines 
at  $50  per  ton,  and  conveyed  by  the  Company,  tog-e- 
ther with  Stone  if  necessary,  down  to  the  sea  board, 
so  as  to  supply  the  whole  route. 

Although  no  survey  has  yet  been  made  of  the 
route,  the  country  is  sufficiently  well  known,  to  en 
able  us  to  form  a  general  opinion  of  the  labour  an<; 
expense.  All  concur  in  stating,  that  the  ground  ie 
unusually  favorable — presenting  fewer  obstacles  than 
in  any  other  part  of  the  country  where  to  the  same 
extent  such  roads  have  been  constructed,  or  planned- 
From  Wilmington  to  Fayetteville,  no  section  of  coun- 
try could  be  more  favorable;  it  is  almost  a  dead  lev- 
el; and  the  lowest  estimate  of  expense  may  betaken 
with  safety  and  propriety.  From  the  Cape  Fear  riv- 
er  to  the  Yadkin,  there  is,  we  are  informed,  a  dividing- 
ridge,  the  summit  of  which  is  level,  between  the 
heads  of  the  numerous  small  streams  supplying  these 
rivers.  Between  the  Yadkin  and  Salisbury — where 
alone  serious  difficulties  were  apprehended,  from  the 
very  rugged  features  of  the  country,  over  which  the 
public  road  runs — we  are  informed,  that  by  keeping 
up  the  west  bank  of  the  river  eight  or  ten  miles,  in- 
stead of  going  straight  forward,  there  is  but  one  as- 
cent to  be  surmounted,  and  that  not  very  difficult, 
when  a  level  may  be  gained,  and  followed  to,  or  near 
Salisbury;  whence,  to  Beatty's  ford,  or  some  point 
above  it  on  the  Catawba,  the  route  is  level,  and  as 
favorable  in  all  other  respects,  as  could  be  desired. 
An  intelligent  engineer,  who  has  had  experience  in 
Rail  Roads  at  the  North,  confirms  this  general  view 
of  the  topography  of  the  Country. 

Jts  to  the  expense  of  this  Road- — The  calculation 
without  the  survey  must  of  course  be  rough — we 
must  be  guided  by  the  experience  of  our  neighbours, 
and  give  a  comparative  opinion.  It  may  be  remark- 
ed, that  very  little  graduation  would  be  necessary  on 
about  one  half  of  the  route.  On  the  most  favorable 
ground,  and  with  the  advantages  of  experience,  3, 
Rail  Road  calculated  for  locomotive  engines,  would 
not  exceed  at  the  present  time  §2500  per  mile;  but 
allowing  a  reasonable  sum  for  difficulties,  such  as 
may  be  calculated  on  in  our  low  country,  an  estimate 
may  be  made  much  within  bounds,  not  to  exceed 
S3500  per  mile. 


10 

Estimating1  the  cost  of  Iron  at      -        -  $867  00 

of  Iron  Spikes     -         -  108  00 

of  Piles        ...  203  00 

of  Timber            -        .  464  00 


Making  the  cost  of  materials  -      $1642  00 

Carpenters'  work  $250;  driving  piles  $350     600  00 
Clearing  ground  and  contingencies  258  00 

$2500  00 
For  other  obstacles  in  our  country  1000  00 


$3500  00 
This  calculation  of  $3500  per  mile  is  probably  safe, 
for  those  parts  of  the  route  situated  between  Wil- 
mington and  Fayetteville;  and  between  Salisbury  and 
Beatty's  ford.  On  the  other  parts  of  the  road,  $5000 
per  mile  is  a  fair  estimate.  By  a  late  communication 
from  the  Superintendant  of  the  Public  Works,  we  are 
informed  that  the  costof  the  South  Carolina  Rail  Road 
including  locomotive  engines,  wagons,  &c,  is  $4961 
per  mile,  for  the  whole  route.  We  are  assured  that 
the  topography  of  the  Rail  Road  contemplated  from 
Wilmington  to  the  mountains,  is  as  favorable  as  that 
of  the  route  from  Charleston  to  Hamburg.  Provisions 
and  labour  are  cheaper  with  us  than  in  South  Caroli- 
na; and  we,  having  all  the  advantage  of  their  experi- 
ence, may  avoid  many  errors,  and  save  much  expense. 
On  the  whole,  it  is  a  safe  calculation  to  say,  that  the 
average  per  mile  for  our  Rail  Road,  cannot  exceed 
$5000,  and  that  the  whole  expense  of  the  route  to 
the  mountains  will  be  considerably  short  of  one  mil- 
lion and  a  half  of  dollars. 

Proceeding  on  the  data  assumed,  and  guided  by 
facts  well  established,  we  proceed  to  consider  more 
particularly,  the  resources  of  the  country  to  support 
the  Road,  and  yield  a  fair  per  centum  to  the  Stock- 
holders. 

By  areference  to  the  proper  records,  it  is  ascertained 
that  the  tonnage  of  goods,  exported  last  year  from 
the  interior  and  shipped  at  Wilmington;  and  import- 
ed into  Wilmington  and  sent  to  the  interior;  may  be 
estimated  at  ten  thousand  tons;  which,  supposing  the 
road  to  cost  $5000  per  mile,  would  yield  a  profit  of 
10  per  cent;  the  rates  of  transportation  being  consid- 
ered equal  to  those  now  charged  on  the  river,  which 


11 

in  consequence  of  competition  are  unusually  low;  unci 
far  less  than  the  cost  of  transportation  on  the  road 
from  the  interior  to  Fayette  ville.  On  those  parts  of  the 
route — probably  one-half — which,  according'  to  the 
estimate,  would  not  cost  more  than  $3500  per  mile, 
the  profit  at  the  sam  e  rate  of  charging,  on  the  pre- 
sent tonnage,  would  be  14  or  15  per  cent. — or,  if 
limited  to  10  per  cent,  would  enable  the  Company 
to  make  a  large  reduction  in  the  rates  of  conveyance. 
Now,  it  must  be  remembered,  that  only  about  one- 
third  of  the  Cotton  raised  in  the  Western  Counties 
was  shipped  from  our  own  State;  only  526,  out  of 
1200  Hhds.  of  Tobacco;  11,000  barrels  of  Flour  out 
of  40,000;  about  100  barrels  of  Spirits  out  of  12,000; 
And  so  on  in  proportions  still  more  favorable  to  our 
estimates;  and  it  will  readily  be  seen,  that  without 
any  increase  of  the  staples  now  raised  for  market;  or 
any  new  resources  being  developed;  that  the  mere 
diversion  of  trade  from  South  Carolina  and  Georgia 
(amounting  to  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  whole)  to 
the  proposed  Rail  Road,  which  result  no  one  can 
doubt — would  nearly  treble  the  tonnage,  and  conse- 
quently enable  the  company  to  realise  a  handsome 
profit,  and  so  reduce  the  rates  of  transportation,  as 
to  afford  the  greatest  relief  and  encouragement  to 
the  farmers,  and  put  out  of  the  question  all  chance 
of  competition  on  water  courses,  or  by  any  other 
means  of  conveyance.  But  the  increase,  we  are  as- 
sured by  every  intelligent  citizen  in  the  Western 
counties,  with  whom  we  have  conversed  or  corres- 
ponded on  the  subject,  and  our  cram  judgments  con- 
firm the  opinion,  must  be  immense,  not  only  of  the 
articles  now  sent  to  market,  but  of  new  staples;  leav- 
ing not  a  doubt  on  the  mind,  of  the  advantages  that 
must  result,  both  to  the  farmers  and  stockholders. — 
A  calculation  more  safe  could  scarcely  be  desired. 
The  great  loss  which  the  State  experiences,  from  the 
want  of  a  communication  between  the  sea  board  and 
the  mountains,  which  would  admit  of  a  constant,  free, 
and  expeditious  interchange  of  commodities,  must  be 
apparent  to  all.  Two-thirds  of  the  trade  of  the 
Western  counties,  without  taking  into  calculation  the 
certain  increase  that  a  Rail  Road  would  occasion,  are 
lost  to  the  State,  while  the  benefit  is  enjoyed  by 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  From  a  consideration 
of  the  difficulties  with  which  the  Western  farmers 


12 

have  to  contend;  of  the  loss  which  the  State  annual' 
]y  sustains  by  being-  deprived  of  so  large  a  proportion 
of  her  actual  resources;  of  the  fact  that  there  is  a 
constant  stream  of  emigration,  which  bears  away  the 
wealth,  and  talents,  and  enterprise  of  the  State,  dis- 
heartening- and  paralysing  the  efforts  of  those  who 
remain; — argument  enough  may  be  deduced  to  prove 
the  necessity  of  carrying  this  plan  into  effect.  But 
how  powerfully  is  this  view  of  the  subject  sustained 
by  a  glance  at  the  advantages  which  would  inevitably 
attend  the  construction  of  the  Rail  Road! 

To  the  State,  it  will  prove  of  essential  benefit,  by 
putting-  a  stop  to  that  fatal  drain  of  her  resources,  so 
beneficial  to  South  Carolina  and  Georgia;  by  caus- 
ing' a  large  increase  of  all  the  articles  now  raised  for 
market;  by  developing  new  resources;  and  especial- 
ly our  rich  mineral  productions,  which  as  yet  are 
scarcely  known  except  to  the  mineralogist;  by  check- 
ing emigration;  by  encouraging  enterprise,  talents, 
and  industry;  by  giving  a  new  impulse  to  all  classes 
of  our  citizens;  and  by  promoting  political  union,  so 
essential  to  national  prosperity  and  national  reputa- 
tion. To  all  our  citizens  residing  in  the  counties 
immediately  interested  in  this  work,  it  will  prove  of 
advantage;  by  enhancing  the  value  of  good,  and  im- 
parting a  value  to  poor  lands;  by  giving  employment 
to  labourers,  mechanics,  and  teams;  by  affording  to 
the  citizens  an  opportunity  to  dispose  of  the  timber, 
provisions,  and  all  materials  on  the  land  required  for 
the  work;  by  diffusing  a  circulating  medium;  by  o- 
pening  a  certain,  cheap,  and  expeditious  means  of  com- 
munication with  the  seaboard — whereby  our  citizenb 
will  be  able  to  avail  themselves  of  the  abundant  re- 
sources of  the  country;  to  convey  to  market  at  a  very 
moderate  expense  the  most  bulky  and  weighty  arti- 
cles; and  in  return  to  receive  the  luxuries  and  com- 
forts of  life  from  Foreign  Countries.  To  the  towns 
of  Wilmington  and  Fayetteville,  the  result  is  incalcu- 
lable. Reasoning  from  what  has  occurred  in  man} 
parts  of  our  Country  under  similar  circumstances,  we 
may  form  some  idea  of  the  effect  that  would  be  pro 
duced.  Town  property  would  be  immediately  en 
hanced  in  value;  business  of  every  description  would 
increase;  labourers  and  mechanics  would  find  employ- 
ment. Men  of  capital  would  be  induced  to  settle  a 
mongst  us,  who  would  put  a  stop  to  the  present  ru 


13 

inous  coasting"  system,  and  give  us  a  direct  trade;  cm 
home  markets  would  be  abundantly  supplied  with 
every  variety  of  provisions  at  all  seasons  of  the  year, 
and  living1  would  consequently  become  better  and 
cheaper.  In  this  improved  state  of  thing's  in  our 
towns,  all  classes  of  citizens  would  be  interested.— 
The  rice  planter;  the  corn  planter;  and  the  citizens 
who  deal  in  lumber  and  naval  stores,  will  be  alike 
benefitted;  produce  of  all  kinds  will  meet  with  a  rea- 
dier sale,  and  goods  of  every  description  will  be  pro- 
portionally cheaper. 

The  survey  of  the  projected  route  will  be  made  this 
summer.  Every  effort  has  been  made  to  procure  an 
Engineer.  Letters  from  Baltimore  state,  that  there 
are  several  distinguished  Engineers  in  that  city  at 
present  unemployed,  whose  services  could  probably 
be  obtained.  It  has  recently  been  understood  that 
Gen.  Swift  has  been  invited  to  survey  die  route,  and 
has  consented  to  perform  the  duty. 

In  the  mean  time,  it  is  incumbent  on  us  as  citizens 
of  the  State,  to  inspire  confidence  abroad  by  evinc- 
ing a  disposition  to  invest  and  hazard,  (if  risk  can  be 
imagined  in  this  instance)  our  own  property.  Stock 
to  the  amount  of  $300,000  must,  by  the  terms  of  the 
Charter,  be  immediately  taken  up  in  the  State,  in 
order  to  organize  the  company,  and  give  it  an  exist- 
ance  Until  this  is  done,  no  further  operations  can 
go  on.  If  all  will  unite  who  are  able  to  assist  in  this 
enterprise,  the  magnitude  of  the  work  will  speedily 
be  diminished.  To  show  how  easily  the  work  may 
be  completed  without  looking  to  legislatures  or  capi 
talists  for  aid — we  will  suppose  the  entire  distance  of 
the  route  to  be  200  miles,  which  at  the  estimate  (ra- 
ther over  the  cost  per  mile  of  the  Charleston  Rail 
Road,)  of  $5000  per  mile,  would  amount  to  one 
million  of  dollars.  To  raise  this  sum,  each  one  of  the 
twenty  counties  interested,  need  not  contribute  more 
than  550,000.  One  hundred  men  taking  only  five 
shares  each,  would  produce  this  result.  So  wild  and 
visionary  is  this  extraordinary  undertaking! 7  Let 
none  be  debarred  from  aiding  in  this  enterprise  un- 
der the  impression  that  they  will  not  be  able  to  meet 
the'r  engagements.  The  means  of  payment  are  easyt 
so  that  every  man  of  industry  and  economy  may  ven 
ture  to  be  in  some  degTee  personally  interested.  At 
the  time  of  subscribing  for  stock,  one  dollar  for  each 


14 

share  as  deposite  money,  must  be  paid  down;  after 
which,  small  instalments  will  be  called  for,  quarterly, 
or  half  yearly,  as  the  work  advances.  Five  or  ten 
years  may  elapse  before  the  whole  amount  will  be 
required — as  the  Stockholders  are  often  relieved  in 
such  cases,  by  loans  negotiated  at  alow  rate  of  inter- 
est. Besides,  persons  living-  in  the  country,  imme- 
diately in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  road,  will  enjoy 
the  advantage  of  being  able,  to  meet  their  instalments 
by  supplying  the  Company  with  provisions,  labour* 
ers,  and  materials.  And  in  this  way,  the  objection 
that  there  is  a  want  of  actual  funds  in  the  State,  will 
be  obviated.  No  money  need  be  disbursed  for  pro- 
visions, labour  or  materials,  if  our  citizens  who  are 
capable  of  supplying  these  wants,  will  embark  liber* 
ally  in  the  undertaking.  Under  this  view  of  the  sub- 
ject, a  nominal,  rather  than  a  real  capital  is  required. 
But  in  addition  to  all  this,  is  it  not  probable  that  our 
Legislature,  seeing  that  the  people  have  at  last  de- 
termined to  act  with  becoming  energy  and  spirit,  will 
extend  a  fostering  hand;  and  that  Northern  capital- 
ists will  be  induced  to  invest  their  surplus  funds? — 
Capital  abounds  in  our  large  commercial  cities;  the 
rate  of  interest  is  low;  and  capitalists  are  anxious  to 
invest  their  funds  in  important  undertakings,  provi- 
ded they  can  be  assured  that  such  investments  are 
profitable. 

If  the  importance  and  practicability  of  this  great 
work  be  acknowledged,  it  cannot  be  commenced  with 
sufficient  promptitude  or  carried  on  with  sufficient 
zeal.  There  is  no  time  to  be  lost.  Every  thing  a- 
round,  is  calculated  to  warn  and  admonish  us,  that  if 
we  fail  to  act  now,  hereafter  our  struggle  may  be  in 
vain.  Virginia  is  pushing  her  Rail  Roads  to  our  very 
borders,  diverting  the  trade  of  the  Eastern  Counties, 
and  alienating  the  interests  and  feelings  of  a  large 
portion  ofour  people.  Already  has  it  been  announc- 
ed to  her  citizens  in  terms  of  gratulation,  that  our 
prejudices  are  fast  dying  away,  and  that  ere  long  a 
lucrative  commerce  with  this  State  may  be  anticipat- 
ed. In  South  Carolina,  the  Rail  Road  from  Charles- 
ton to  Augusta  will  be  completed  by  the  commence- 
ment of  the  coming  year,  when  every  effort  will  be 
made  to  extend  lateral  branches  to  our  South  West- 
ern boundary.  With  proofs  then  so  conclusive,  of 
=he  necessity  that  exists  for  prompt  and  vigorous  ac- 


15 

tion;  and  possessing  as  we  do  such  signal  advantages, 
surely  we  have  every  incentive  to  enterprise  and  ex- 
ertion in  a  cause  so  intimately  blended  with  our  best 
interests. 

We  have  now  reached  a  crisis  in  our  affairs,  at 
which  we  should  counsel  wisely  as  to  the  future,  if 
we  wish  not  to  forfeit  forever  our  hopes  of  better 
times,  and  our  high  character  as  a  people.  Let  us 
but  resolutely  determine  to  mingle  in  the  contest 
with  those  who  are  now  struggling  for  supremacy  in 
this  great  department  of  improvement,  and  while  we 
shake  off  the  opprobrium  of  apathy,  soon  will  we  e- 
vince  to  the  world,  that  we  are  destined  to  assume  a 
far  higher  station  in  the  political  scale,  than  has  yet 
been  assigned  to  us.  Once  embarked  in  this  under- 
taking, we  shall  catch  new  vigour  from  each  step  in 
the  enterprise.  Animation  will  pervade  the  most 
sluggish  branch  of  industry;  and  all  society  will  be 
touched  with  an  awakening  power,  of  the  most  salu- 
tary nature.  Shall  we  then,  by  listening  to  the  dis- 
suasive voice  of  fear  or  cold  heartless  calculation,  be- 
come skeptical  of  these  rich  results,  thus  suffering 
our  timidity  to  betray  us  into  irretrievable  ruin!  Our 
State  invokes  the  assistance  of  her  once  high  spirited 
and  generous  sons,  to  preserve  her  national  charac- 
ter, by  calling  her  long  dormant  energies  into  action. 
Nature  herself,  by  the  facilities  she  presents,  is  elo- 
quent in  the  appeal.  Let  us  then  no  longer  be  deaf 
to  claims  so  urgent,  but  rather  hail  an  occasion  like 
the  present,  as  the  dawn  of  better  times;  and  while 
we  nobly  purpose  that  our  course  hereafter  shall  be 
onward,  cease  not  from  our  labours,  until  we  are  in 
the  full  enjoyment  of  the  benefits  that  await  us. 


ja.  j.  baie,  printer- 


Photomount 

Pamphlet 

Binder 

Gaylord  Bros. 

Makers 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

PAT.  JAN  21,  1906 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00042071603 

FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


THIS  TITLE  HAS  BEEN  MICROFILMED 


